Just move to an area where there is just the one school. 
Takes the stress out of all that (up to a point). I know I couldn't do any better for my dcs unless I had squillions and could go private and single sex (which would probably have suited dd much better), but that wasn't ever going to be an option as I can't even afford to keep the dcs in organic carrots, let alone private education. And as for tuition... ha! 15 GCSEs seems a tad excessive, BTM. I don't even know offhand how many dd is doing, but it's def not that many. However, I am currently on one of my "the education system is all a load of bollocks" jags, so best pay no attention to me. :)
Had a pleasant and productive w/e doing bucolic things such as apple picking and baking apple and blackberry turnovers. And hedgecutting (again) and celebrating the laying of The First Egg. Rain, cold and gales only pitched up here this afternoon. I may need to budget for a new coat. Drat.
Looks like we might get fracked. They are coming to do a geophysical survey around these parts and an ominous little numbered stick has appeared just outside our house. Hope there is nothing in the least bit interesting underground in our road.
Ds (8) went to a party at a water park today and didn't really enjoy it. He is not much of a thrill seeker and doesn't like heights. I think his friend's parents thought he was annoying weed. He also doesn't like football at all and is crap on a skateboard. I fear for his future social life, poor fellow.